Types Of Diabetes - Major Types Of Diabetes And Their Symptoms
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes (as it will be in this article) was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine.
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus may urinate excessively (polyuria) and become thirsty because the glucose filtered into the kidneys has the tendency to pull water with it. They may experience increased appetite and weight loss; the absence of functioning insulin prevents cells from obtaining the carbohydrates they need and allows muscle and fat to break down. Muscle cramping and fatigue may also occur.
The two main types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults and is considered an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body's system for fighting infection (the immune system) turns against a part of the body.
A combination of abnormalities is responsible for type 2 diabetes. The first is probably insulin resistance, a condition in which body cells become less responsive to insulin. Therefore, the body must secrete more insulin to maintain normal metabolism. Insulin resistance, which is very common, doesn't cause type 2 diabetes by itself.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the birth of the baby.
Gestational Diabetes is a form of Type 2 diabetes that begins during pregnancy, often near the end of the second trimester or during the third trimester. It is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or by a shortage of insulin. It affects 7% of all pregnancies and over 200,000 women a year in the U.S. Although this form of diabetes tends to go away after the baby is born, type 2 diabetes is more likely later in life.
Pre-Diabetes
Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have pre-diabetes; blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for having heart disease and stroke. Many people are unaware that they have pre-diabetes, because it usually has no symptoms.
